CAPRICORN [December 22–January 19] Writing in the science magazine Discover, Corey S. Powell says: "There's an old joke: If you tell someone the universe is expanding, he'll believe you. If you tell him there's wet paint on the park bench, he'll want to touch it to make sure." In accordance with the astrological omens, Capricorn, I invite you to rebel against this theory. I think it's quite important for you to demand as much proof for big, faraway claims as for those that are close at hand. Don't trust anyone's assertions just because they sound lofty. Put them to the test.

AQUARIUS [January 20–February 18] It's an excellent time to better appreciate your #@%(!)* vexations and botherations. In fact, let's go ahead and make this Honor Your #@%(!)* Irritations and Annoyances Week. To properly observe this holiday, study the people and things that irk you, so you can extract from them all the blessings and teachings they might provide. Are you too tolerant of an annoying situation that you need to pay closer attention to? Does some jerk remind you of a quality you don't like in yourself?

PISCES [February 19–March 20] Sea horses have an unusual approach to reproduction. It's the male of the species that cares for the eggs as they gestate. He carries them in a "brood pouch" on his front side. Of course, it's the female who creates the eggs in the first place. After analyzing the astrological factors coming to bear on your destiny, Pisces, I suspect you will benefit from having a sea-horse-like quality in the coming weeks. Whatever gender you are, your archetypal masculine qualities should play an especially strong role as you nurture a project that's in its early developmental phases.